" usual for either Ronder or his wife to feed the lion at night Sometimes one went, sometimes both, but they never allowed anyone else , for they believed that were the food-carriers regard them as benefactors and would never molest them particular night, seven , they both went, and very terrible happening followed, the details of never been made clear

"It seems whole camp was roused near midnight roars animal screams woman The different grooms and employees rushed from their tents, carrying lanterns, and by their light an awful sight was revealed Ronder lay, back head crushed in and deep claw-marks across his scalp, some ten yards cage, open Close door cage lay Mrs Ronder upon her back, creature squatting and snarling above her It had torn her face fashion never thought that live Several of thc circus men, headed by Leonardo, the strong man, and Griggs, the clown, drove the creature off with poles, it sprang back cage and was at once locked in How it had got loose was mystery conjectured pair intended to enter the cage, but that door was loosed the creature bounded out upon them no other point of interest evidence save woman in delirium of agony kept screaming, 'Coward ! Coward ! ' as she was carried back van they lived six months before she was fit evidence, but the inquest was duly held, obvious verdict of death from misadventure "

"What alternative conceived ? " said I

" well say so And yet there were points which worried young Edmunds, Berkshire Constabulary smart lad that ! sent later to Allahabad That was how matter, for he dropped in and smoked pipe or two over it "

"A thin, yellow-haired man ? "

"Exactly sure pick up the trail presently "

"But what worried him ? "

"Well, we were both worried so deucedly difficult to reconstruct the affair Look at it lion's point of view liberated What does he do ? He takes half dozen bounds forward, which brings him to Ronder Ronder turns to fly -- the claw-marks were back head -- but the lion strikes him down Then, instead of bounding on and escaping, he returns woman, who was close cage, and he knocks her over and chews her face up Then, again, those cries of hers would seem to imply that her husband had in some way failed her What could the poor devil to help her ? the difficulty ? "

"Quite "

"And then another thing It comes back now as it over some evidence that just the lion roared woman screamed, man began shouting in terror "

"This man Ronder, "

"Well, if his skull was smashed in hardly expect to again There were two witnesses who spoke cries of man being mingled with those of woman "

" think the whole camp was crying out by then other points, suggest solution "

" glad to consider it "

"The two were together, ten yards cage, lion got loose The man turned and was struck down The woman conceived the idea of getting cage and shutting the door her only refuge She made , and just as she reached it the beast bounded after her and knocked her over She was angry with her husband for having encouraged the beast's rage by turning had faced it they cowed it Hence her cries of 'Coward ! ' "

"Brilliant, Watson ! flaw in your diamond "

" the flaw, Holmes ? "

" were both ten paces cage, how came the beast loose ? "

" possible had some enemy who loosed it ? "

"And why should it attack them savagely when habit of playing , and doing tricks inside the cage ? "

"Possibly the same enemy had done something to enrage it "

Holmes looked thoughtful and remained in silence for some moments

"Well, Watson, this said for your theory Ronder was man of many enemies Edmunds told me that cups horrible huge bully of man, he cursed and slashed at everyone who came way I expect those cries about monster, our visitor has spoken, were nocturnal reminiscences dear departed However, our speculations are futile until all the facts cold partridge sideboard, Watson, and bottle of Montrachet renew our energies before fresh call upon them "

When our hansom deposited us house of Mrs Merrilow, that plump lady blocking up the open door of her humble but retired abode very clear that her chief preoccupation was lest she should lose valuable lodger, and she implored us, before showing us up, and do nothing which could lead to so undesirable an end Then, having reassured her, we followed her up the straight, badly carpeted staircase and were shown room mysterious lodger

close, musty, ill-ventilated place, as expected, since its inmate seldom left it From keeping beasts in cage, the woman seemed, by some retribution of fate, become herself beast in cage She sat now in broken armchair shadowy corner room Long years of inaction had coarsened the lines of her figure, but at some period it must beautiful, and was still full and voluptuous thick dark veil covered her face, but cut off close at her upper lip and disclosed perfectly shaped mouth and delicately rounded chin well conceive that she had indeed been very remarkable woman Her voice, too, was well modulated and pleasing

"My name unfamiliar , Mr Holmes," said she " would bring you "

" so, madam, though know how aware that interested in your case "

"l learned it when I had recovered my health and was examined Edmunds, the county detective I lied to him Perhaps it wiser had the truth "

" usually wiser the truth But why did you lie to him ? "

"Because the fate of someone else depended upon it that very worthless being, and yet have his destruction upon my conscience We so close -- so close ! "

"But impediment been removed ? "

"Yes, sir The person that I allude to is dead "

"Then why should you not now tell the police anything ? "

"Because another person considered That other person is myself stand the scandal and publicity which would come from police examination long to live, but to die undisturbed And yet one man of judgment tell my terrible story, when gone all understood "

"You compliment me, madam same time, responsible person promise you that have spoken not myself think it my duty to refer the case police "

" not, Mr Holmes your character and methods too well, for followed your work Reading only pleasure which fate has left me, and I miss little which passes But in any case, take my chance use which make tragedy ease my mind it "

"My friend and I to hear it "

The woman rose and took from drawer the photograph of man clearly professional acrobat, man of magnificent physique, taken huge arms folded across his swollen chest and smile breaking from under his heavy moustache -- the self-satisfied smile man of many conquests

" Leonardo," she said

"Leonardo, the strong man, who gave evidence ? "

"The same And this -- my husband "